The NHS ‘Long Term Plan’ is published

In its ambitious plan, the NHS makes relatively few cancer commitments but, promisingly, takes an ‘all cancer’ approach, which by definition includes rare and less common cancers, instead of previous approaches which have sometimes prioritised the four more common cancers.

The plan also focuses on moving more care into the community and out of hospital, accompanied by increased funding for primary and community care, as well as continuing the trend of greater integration of services.

Cancer52¹, the voice for the rare and less common cancers communities, has produced an initial response, which AMMF endorses.

The following is an extract from Cancer52’s initial response to the Plan:

* The ambition to ensure that 75% of cancers are diagnosed at stage 1 and 2 by 2028

* A commitment to collect data for all patients in 2019 to support the development of the faster diagnosis standard, which will be rolled out from 2020 and will ensure that people have cancer ruled in or out within 28 days from a referral by their GP or from screening

* Increasing the roll out of Rapid Diagnostic Centres (RDCs) from 2019 to help the diagnosis of cancer, and allowing self referral by patients

* Extending the use of molecular diagnostics

* That from 2021 all patients will have access to the right support, including a personalised care plan and either a Clinical Nurse Specialist or a support worker

We would however reemphasise the need for an appropriately resourced workforce as staffing gaps are currently impeding our ability to provide world leading cancer care.”

Cancer52’s Policy Group is now working on more detailed response.

To read the NHS 10 Year Plan in full, click here
(For topline cancer plans, see from p56)

¹ AMMF is an active member of Cancer52, and AMMF’s CEO, Helen Morement, has served on Cancer52’s board since 2014.